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75-year-old time capsule contains veteran memorials

A time capsule from 1934 was opened Tuesday at the Minneapolis Veterans Home.

The lead box contained everything from military newspapers and photographs to a book about Native American leader Hiawatha and a collection of memorial addresses by President Abraham Lincoln.

The commemorative capsule was discovered in the cornerstone of Building 9 on the Veterans Home campus.

Construction on Building 9 began in 1934 and continued through 1937. At that time, it was common practice to leave so-called time capsules inside the cornerstones or walls of buildings as they were being erected. The goal was to offer future generations a glimpse into what the capsule-compilers found important.

The 75-year-old container was uncovered when crews began the demolition of Building 9, which is being razed due to structural problems. A replacement facility is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2011. It will house a 100-bed, skilled nursing care unit.

Items from the time capsule, as well as the cornerstone of the original Building 9, will be displayed in the new facility.

Gallery

The Department of Veterans Affairs held a public ceremony to present the contents of the capsule. The event occurred right next to the building in which the time capsule was found. The brick structure is in the process of being demolished due to structural problems.MPR Photo/Nikki TundelView full galleryBack in 1934, members of the veterans community were asked to contribute items to the time capsule. One offered up a medal.MPR Photo/Nikki TundelThe lead box was packed with a variety of military history books.MPR Photo/Nikki TundelPamphlets containing pictures of war veterans were among the artifacts in the time capsule.MPR Photo/Nikki TundelA number of the books and pamphlets in the capsule highlighted the works and words of President Abraham Lincoln.MPR Photo/Nikki TundelA hardcover book about the Native American leader Hiawatha was among the military relics.MPR Photo/Nikki TundelA small American flag had been folded and tucked into the time capsule.MPR Photo/Nikki TundelThe capsule contained a few editions of the military newspaper Stars and Stripes.MPR Photo/Nikki TundelThose who filled the box in 1934 included a large copy of the Declaration of Independence.MPR Photo/Nikki TundelAfter going through the entire contents of the time capsule, officials put everything back into the container. It will be kept in storage as a new nursing care facility is built on the Veterans Home campus. The items from the time capsule will be put on display in this new building, which is expected to be finished by the fall of 2011.MPR Photo/Nikki Tundel